2021 Fall – From the President

What exactly is a native plant? It’s one that has been in a place since before colonization. Essentially an indigenous plant that was not carried across a sea or great distances to be where it is now. It can be hard to determine what’s native and not native. The Audubon Society has a wonderful searchable database where you enter your zip code and they give you an exhaustive list of all the plants native to your region and the birds they support (www.audubon.org/native-plants). It’s a fun way to spend a few hours reading!

But why focus on native blooms and foliage when there are sexy flower rock stars like dahlias, fancy tulips, peonies, and ranunculus that always seem to need more space in your fields? In a nutshell: ecological resiliency. Life on this planet is intrinsically interwoven in such a complex way that we humans cannot even begin to fathom. Birds, bugs, fungi, microbes, and much more all co-evolved alongside each other and alongside native plants, each becoming interdependent on the other in a cycle of reciprocity that helped them not just survive but thrive. When we humans turn a blind eye to that interconnectedness and populate a landscape with only non-native plants, focused entirely on meeting our own goals, we fail to be part of that cycle of natural give and take. In this simplified format, the farm ecosystem (humans being a part of that system) fails to thrive.

One oft-cited example of how powerful a native plant is in the landscape versus a non-native plant is that of the research done by Doug Tallamy at the University of Delaware. His data collection shows that a native oak tree in the mid-Atlantic region here in the United States supports on average over 500 species of caterpillars. In contrast, a ginkgo, a common landscaping tree brought in from Asia, hosts only 5 species of caterpillars. Caterpillars (and other bugs that live in trees) are vital food for the young broods of nesting songbirds. Birds and caterpillars are just one tiny link in a complex and massive food chain that keeps our world in balance. The selection of trees in a single mile stretch of a road could have a powerful impact on how much wildlife can live and thrive there. The same is true with our flower farms!

Hedgerows of native plants within or next to your fields are particularly powerful. Numerous scientific studies have been conducted on the benefits of native hedgerows on the overall functioning of a farm’s ecosystem. One such study, published in 2014, was conducted by the University of California. The study compared field hedgerows of California native perennials to field edges that were left unmaintained (i.e., weedy) or treated with herbicides. Both pests (bad guys) and predator insects (good guys) were assessed as to their population numbers and the impact that had on neighboring tomato fields. The study found that the fields adjacent to native hedgerows had fewer pests overall, and a greater diversity and abundance of predator insects, especially parasitoid wasps. Benefits of the native hedgerows were noted up to 200 meters out into the tomato fields, with notably fewer aphids on the tomatoes than those fields that did not have native hedgerows. Fields adjacent to native hedgerows were less likely to reach an economic threshold of pest pressure that would require insecticide applications. The study recommended planting multiple hedgerows throughout a larger farm to keep economic crops within 200 meters of a native hedgerow, which provided significant pest control through the entire growing area, ultimately reducing the need for chemical controls.

Lucky for us flower farmers, we do not have to choose between growing an economic crop or dedicating field space to a native hedgerow. For us, they can be one and the same! Any dense planting of a bushy native perennial in a long row is a hedgerow, providing habitat for myriad creatures that will aid in bringing balance to your farm’s community, both above ground and below ground. Native perennials grow deep roots that stabilize soil and encourage native mycorrhizae to flourish. Both the dense foliage and the roots woven with mycelium slow down heavy rainfall as it hits the ground, reducing erosion and cleansing the water before it reaches streams and rivers.

By choosing to incorporate many native plants into your flower fields, you’ll be making a concerted effort to have a more resilient growing space in the face of drastic weather changes. You’ll encourage the bird population in particular; these winged friends will repay you by hunting for pests like cucumber beetles, slugs, and grasshoppers among your flowers. With each season, as the ecosystem rights itself, your farm will become more sustainable and less dependent on sprays and time-consuming techniques like organza bags over blooms.

But not all native plants make for good cutting material on a commercial level. Some have a short vase life. Some are slow growing so you can’t cut much from them at any one time. Some don’t hydrate well. Before putting in dozens of a given plant, do a trial planting of one or two and see if it really works as a cut.

The following is a list of some of my favorites here at my farm in Philadelphia, all of which have proven to be great for designing. Most everything on this list would be native to any farm in North America. But still do some research to find out what perennials are native to your own region. The closer to home, the better. I suspect there are many native plants yet to be discovered as great cuts. Let’s figure it out together!

Aronia

Aronia arbutifolia, also commonly called chokeberry, is a wonderful, slender-stemmed shrub that offers up bright red foliage in the autumn and glossy green foliage in the summer. Foliage holds up well out of water! Shrubs also produce beautiful fruits in the fall that can be used in centerpiece designs.

Arrowwood Viburnum

Viburnum dentatum is one of my hardest-working shrubs around the farm, producing filler flowers, foliage, and berries all on one plant over the course of the season. Stems were used by indigenous peoples to make arrows (thus the common name), which is to say it’s got slender, straight stems for arrangements. Birds adore it as shelter and a food source. It tolerates most any soil, and flowers on new wood so you can cut and cut and cut without fear of losing potential.

Mountain Mint

Pycnanthemum muticum is a fan favorite here in the ASCFG. Its robust and productive foliage is equally perfect for market bouquets and bridal bouquets. Begin cutting it when the small white flowers appear in midsummer (basically, if the bees are buzzing all over it, it’s ready to cut). One criticism of mountain mint you may hear is that it spreads readily. I’ve not experienced that, likely because we cut it so much that it doesn’t have extra energy to run. Even if it did, I’d be thrilled since I always want more!

Coneflower

Echinacea purpurea has had a lot of new hybrids coming onto the market in recent years. One of the few focal flowers native to the mid-Atlantic region here, it’s great that they are available in such a wide range of colors and shapes now. The classic straight species purple is still a winner in my book and the simplest to grow from seed for your own propagation. Drought-tolerant and unfussy plants, it’s easy to love them. But sometimes their petals get nibbled by bugs. Rather than despairing, we pluck the petals off mature blooms and use the bare cones as textural accents in bouquets. Super fun and long-lasting!

Baptisia

Baptisia australis is another standout native and one of the most productive plants at my farm. In spring, it puts out striking flower spikes in shades of yellow, purple, pink, cream or near-blue. I leave about half the flowers on the plants, though, as I love the green seed pods that come next; a great accent in June wedding designs. Then the rest of the year we’re using the abundant foliage for mixed bouquets and wedding designs alike. The flowers and foliage can be a bit tricky to initially hydrate. Harvest early in the morning and store in the cooler overnight before using.

Rudbeckia

Rudbeckia triloba is a personal favorite of mine, but all rudbeckias (black-eyed Susans) are notable native cut flowers. My affinity for R. triloba lies in the fact that it’s a cheerful and highly productive filler that reseeds itself happily, so you’ll always have plenty. Towering at about 5 feet on my farm, we can cut steadily from it for several weeks in late summer. Cut when the flowers are fully open for a long vase life. Its clear yellow flowers go with most any color palette. I’ve got mine in some afternoon shade without any irrigation and it’s happy as can be!

Yarrow

There’s some debate about whether Achillea millefolium can really be called a native plant to North America. Yarrow is actually native to Europe. But it was brought here by colonists so early on and has since naturalized so much in the U.S. that it is now generally accepted as a native wildflower by many horticulturalists. Since it’s such a great cut flower, it’s getting a nod here as a perennial that can help balance your farm’s ecosystem. Many useful medicinal qualities to boot!

Penstemon

I know Joe Schmitt is going to love this one since he introduced me to it. Penstemon digitalis, also commonly known as beardtongue, is a perennial spike flower that reminds me of a more whimsical snapdragon. Highly productive once established, these meadow and prairie dwellers are drought-tolerant and pest-free, blooming profusely in early summer at my farm. There are several new cultivars coming onto the market right now that make for an extra showy stem that is likely to fetch a premium price. Certain varieties also make interesting seed heads that dry well. This is a plant family worth looking into more!

Phlox

Phlox paniculata is not to be confused with the little annual phlox varieties that are so popular with farmer-florists. This perennial native is often towering and productive in a way those wimpy annual types will never be. Cultivars are available in a rainbow of colors. ‘David’, ‘Fashionably Early Crystal’, and ‘Jenna’ are some of my favorites. In our hot, humid summers here, they have appreciated a touch of afternoon shade and a deep mulch to keep their roots cool. While deer resistant, I have found groundhogs enjoy nibbling on them. To avoid shedding petals, cut when the buds are swollen and colored but before the blooms open. Once pollinated, the individual florets drop almost immediately.

Diervilla

Diervilla rivularis, also known as bush honeysuckle, is a small native shrub that deserves a lot more attention in the flower farming world. It can be used for its small yellow flowers as a filler or, most often here at Love ‘n Fresh Flowers, it can be used as a long-lasting foliage in all manner of bouquets and designs. About thigh-high, it is constantly sending up new slender woody stems all season. It is a suckering plant so it will spread if left unattended, but that quality is what makes is such a productive cut.

Goldenrod

Solidago speciosa is such a common meadow wildflower around here that it’s gotten a bad rap as being the culprit for autumn seasonal allergies. In fact, that culprit is ragweed, which gets pollinated by the wind (thus pollen up our noses). Goldenrod, on the other hand, is pollinated exclusively by beneficial insects (no pollen up our noses), making it an incredibly valuable native plant to have on your farm. In my experience, it hates to be domesticated and won’t thrive if “cropped” in the traditional rows in a flower field. Instead, I let a patch of it run wild on the edges of the farm, where it is utterly carefree and zero maintenance. It can be harvested for greenery starting in July, but we cut the bulk of it here when it reaches the chartreuse bud stage—an amazing filler for late August bouquets! It’s also a great dried flower that fades to that oh-so-popular tan/bleached shade that’s trending right now.

Monarda

Monarda punctata is my favorite of the beebalms. There are many native monardas used for cutting, but this one in particular is incredibly striking for wedding design work. A prairie wildflower by nature, it’s a free-loving spirit that can adapt to most any sunny spot and soil. Its little yellow florets with brown spots remind me of orchids. Sometimes these little florets won’t look so great in your design work, but it is easy to pluck them out and leave the soft lavender pink foliage in place. A member of the mint family, monarda can spread, but I’ve never had any trouble with it being a thug here at my farm.
Joe Pye

Eupatorium dubium is another lesser-known native rock star for cut flower production. It has a delicate umbel of creamy lilac flowers in late summer and autumn that are superb in mixed bouquets and event design work alike. The first flush of sturdy, straight stems is big and tall, and then it reblooms throughout the autumn with shorter side shoots that we use in centerpieces. The variety ‘Little Joe’ is my favorite. Eupatorium is very drought tolerant and a huge butterfly magnet.

Clethra

Clethra alnifolia, also sometimes called summersweet, is a shorter shrub that can handle tricky spots with less-than-ideal conditions. Part shade and wet spots are its favorites, but it’ll adapt to pretty much anywhere. It will spread if left unchecked, a habit I quite like personally, but one to be aware of if you are confined to a small growing space. Small flower spikes, either in white or pink, develop in the middle of summer that have the sweetest scent. Great filler for wedding designs as the fragrance is notable and floral, but not overpowering—one of those smells that will tickle guests’ memories for years to come. Foliage is great in design work too!

Bleeding Hearts

Dicentra spectabilis is such a charming woodland plant and perfect for any shady spot around your farm or garden. Its delicate appearance belies a surprisingly long vase life. A spring ephemeral, it is harvestable for only about ten days each season but given it can thrive in spots many other cuts would fail, it’s worth tucking into your crop plan. Harvest when a flower or two at the bottom of the stem has gone to seed, which signals the stem is mature enough to not wilt.

Lisianthus

That’s right! Eustoma grandiflorum is a native to North American prairies in Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Kansas. Not really a candidate for making a bushy hedgerow, lisianthus surely is the best native focal flower, though!